Jim Goulart

AUDIO via Friday's Sky Sox Pre-Game Show -- Manager Rick Sweet RH starter Aaron Wilkerson

Look for this just prior to game time -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Linked on the Sky Sox official blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Carolina League Southern Division A - Midwest League Western Division Pioneer League North Division Arizona League Central Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro Division Dominican Summer League North Division NOTE: Divisional standings for the two DSL teams point to the same shared page link. NOTE #2: The Standings Links above will reflect second-half standings for Biloxi, Carolina, and Wisconsin. You can easily then click on "Overall Standings" once you've reached the initial link. *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers DSL Brewers/Indians *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Billings, MT

Follow Saturday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Helena

Saturday's Daily Menu: Times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Bubba Derby at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 4:30 PM pre-game, 5:00 gametime, it's Game Four of a Best-of-Five Series, Sky Sox up 2-1 Free Live Audio Link Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him again this season is Dan Acheson (@Dan_Acheson) MiLB.TV is available for the playoffs and offseason archives for $19.99 if you're not already a subscriber. ********** Helena: RHP Karsen Lindell at Billings (Reds), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Garrett Greene (@Garrett_Greene) has your H-Crew coverage for 2017

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Let's applaud Rick Sweet, the manager who changed Sky Sox's un-American losing culture David Ramsey, Colorado Springs Gazette The lovefest for the skipper continues...

The winner of the Sky Sox series faces El Paso (Padres) for the Pacific Coast League Championship.

Final: Billings 5, Helena 4 Helena Falls In 13 Innings To Mustangs Brewers no-hit for nine innings after taking 4-1 lead in 3rd, drop 8th straight to Mustangs By Garrett Greene / Helena Brewers Photo of 6'7" RHP Michael Petersen from a prior game at the link, pitchers did well here (minus the HBP's - see below), only two earned runs allowed. I listened to much of this game, right to the end, Garrett's broadcasting career is off to a fine start, and he backs it up with another fine summary linked above. *** Helena Box Score HBP: Downs (by Petersen); Fairchild (by Petersen); Manzanero (by Petersen); Wallace (by Petersen); Fairchild (by Hitt); Ljatifi (by Delgado); Wallace (by Delgado). Yikes, Brewer pitchers plunked seven Mustangs and there was no retaliation. Head high, Payton Henry, you've had a fine season, but you won't be framing the batting line here. Gabriel Garcia nets another mention, on base four more times -- .299/.420/.498. Helena Game Log Season ends (mercifully?) Saturday, but the guys are obviously plugging best they can. You don't go 13 innings if you're rolling over.

Final: Colorado Springs 16, Memphis 15 Sox Take Series Lead In Slugfest Colabello drives in five runs on four-hit night By Robby Veronesi / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Chris Colabello drove in five runs via four RBI singles in four consecutive at-bats Friday night against Memphis. (Paat Kelly photo) The focus is on the Colorado Springs offense in Robby's report above... *** From the Colorado Springs Gazette: “Absolutely, positively one of the craziest games I’ve ever been involved in at such a high-intense level,” said Sky Sox manager Rick Sweet immediately after the victory. “That was a crazy ride.” Sweet said he was not discouraged by the Sky Sox’s brush with utter collapse. The Redbirds scored seven runs in the top of the 8th, and then a towering home run by elite prospect Tyler O’Neil cut the lead to one run in the top of the 9th. “We’re in Colorado Springs,” Sweet said, laughing. “That is a Colorado Springs-only score. That’s Colorado Springs at its best, or its worst. It depends on how you look at it.” Chris Colabello led the Sky Sox with four hits and five RBIs. Most of the crowd of 3,614 stayed for the entire three hours and 45 minutes. *** Colorado Springs Box Score RHP Tristan Archer's work stands out here. Kyle Wren four runs scored, Johnny Davis has found AAA to his liking. Colorado Springs Game Log

Also from Thursday's Sky Sox Pre-Game Show: Infielder Ivan De Jesus, Jr.

AUDIO via Thursday's Sky Sox Pre-Game Show: This one prior to the Game Two win, Manager Rick Sweet indicates catcher Rene Garcia fractured a finger in two places attempting a bunt in Game One

Kyle Wren, Colorado Springs Sky Sox out in Force for playoff home opener By Kate Shefte, Colorado Springs Gazette For 24 years, his name was well-known, but only among certain baseball circles. Then, The Force awoke. “My name is cool now, I guess,” Sky Sox left fielder Kyle Wren said. The longtime fan was thrilled to find out that the latest installment in the multibillion-dollar Star Wars franchise, 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” would feature a villain just two letters off from his own name: Kylo Ren. According to Wren, when the Sky Sox played the Salt Lake Bees, Star Wars music would ring out when he came up to bat and if he struck out, the scene where Kylo Ren destroys part of his own ship with his light saber in anger would play. “I get it almost everywhere,” Wren, a twin brother, said. “Fans yelling at me, ‘I can’t believe you killed Han Solo!’” He’s been with the Sky Sox parts of three seasons, and has achieved a level of comfort in Colorado Springs that has helped him this season. He relates not to Kylo Ren, but to the scoundrel with a heart of gold, Han Solo. He even has a trusty sidekick. “My Chewbacca would be Nate Orf, my roommate on the road. He follows me around,” Wren said. “He can speak English, though, not Wookie.” Wren and Orf are looking to shoot first for the Sky Sox, who return to Colorado Springs Friday tied 1-1 for their first playoff homestand in 20 years in the series against the Memphis Redbirds. Kyle’s father, Frank Wren, played in the Montreal Expos system and then began a successful front-office career. He became the general manager of the Baltimore Orioles for one season in 1998, then worked for the Atlanta Braves for 15 years, serving as executive vice president and general manager from 2007 to 2014. Meanwhile, Kyle and his twin brother, Colby, were getting involved in the family business. They played together at Georgia Tech. “With that name, there was obviously pressure on our backs, especially in the area,” Kyle said. “It made us better players and people.” Frank Wren drafted MLB All-Stars Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman, and two of his own sons. The Braves took Kyle in the eighth round of the 2013 draft. “Then my dad drafted me, so there was even an added pressure there because I wanted to make sure it looked like my dad made the right decision,” Kyle said. After solid stints with the Braves’ Single- and Double-A affiliates, Wren was traded to the Brewers about a month after his father was fired by the Braves. Frank now works in the Boston Red Sox front office, and that team drafted Kyle’s younger brother, Jordan, out of Georgia Southern in 2017. After the trade, Kyle Wren started with the Biloxi Shuckers (AA) and joined the Sky Sox in 2015. In Colorado Springs, he’s scored 167 runs for an average of .290 with 117 RBIs. He’s batting .286 this season and was named July co-player of the month (.340 average, 34 hits, 21 runs scored) helping the Sky Sox to the second-best record in the Pacific Coast League at 80-57 and an American North Division championship. “Kyle has grown as a hitter, not just in the game, but how to prepare himself day in and day out,” Sky Sox coach Al LeBoeuf said. “I think it’s been outstanding.” Wren said he likes Han Solo because he manages to be the coolest character even though he doesn’t wield a light saber. Wren, as well, has had to find other, meaningful ways to contribute in his career. Wren leads the team and is tied for first in the PCL with 26 stolen bases. “I was never going to be the guy that hits the ball out of the park consistently,” Wren said. “My dad, being who he is, he basically told me to get to the big leagues, you’re going to have to use your speed. It’s going to have to change the game enough that people will notice it.” The goal is to make the Memphis Redbirds notice in the PCL semifinals Friday at Security Service Field. Game 4, and 5 if necessary, will take place Saturday and Sunday at home. From there, who knows which star system Wren will wind up in. LeBoeuf said Wren’s famous name – in several ways – may have done him some favors, but Kyle has taken it from there. “When it’s all said and done, it’s what he does,” LeBoeuf said. “He’s put himself in a great spot in this organization. All we ask for in this game is an opportunity. Hopefully he gets that opportunity because we’re all pulling for him.” Wren, meanwhile, is pulling for the fictional villain who now routinely affects his real life. “We don’t know he’s evil,” Wren said. “He could be on a redemptive arc, so I will hold judgment until the final movie. His story is not fully written yet.” Neither is Wren’s.

RHP Aaron Brooks cleared waivers after his DFA and was outrighted to Colorado Springs. He will be a minor league free agent and has been added to the initial post in this thread.

Look for this just prior to game time -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Linked on the Sky Sox official blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Carolina League Southern Division A - Midwest League Western Division Pioneer League North Division Arizona League Central Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro Division Dominican Summer League North Division NOTE: Divisional standings for the two DSL teams point to the same shared page link. NOTE #2: The Standings Links above will reflect second-half standings for Biloxi, Carolina, and Wisconsin. You can easily then click on "Overall Standings" once you've reached the initial link. *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers DSL Brewers/Indians *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Billings, MT

Follow Friday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Helena

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! Times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Angel Ventura at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 6:30 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime, it's Game Three of a Best-of-Five Series, tied currently at 1-1 Free Live Audio Link Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him again this season is Dan Acheson (@Dan_Acheson) MiLB.TV is available for the playoffs and offseason archives for $19.99 if you're not already a subscriber. ********** Helena: RHP Michael Petersen at Billings (Reds), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Garrett Greene (@Garrett_Greene) has your H-Crew coverage for 2017

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Final: Billings 8, Helena 3 Bats Go Quiet Again For Brewers In Loss Helena held without a hit after the fourth inning in 8-3 defeat at Billings, seventh straight loss to Mustangs By Garrett Greene / Helena Brewers Details, several not ideal, at the link above... *** Helena Box Score RF Nic Pierre on base three times. Helena Game Log Mustangs started 9th round LHP Packy Naughton, which might be the most Boston-name ever, because he was, in fact, born there (then on to Virginia Tech). Billings then followed with giant RHP Zac Correll, who is from the nearby Massachusetts town I lived in 20+ years ago. Yes, struggling to focus on the 27-47 H-Crew this AM. So, go Sky Sox!

Final: Colorado Springs 5, Memphis 0 Wilkerson's Gem Propels Sox To 5-0 Win Aaron Wilkerson no-hit the Memphis Redbirds for seven innings in his first Triple-A start of the 2017 season Thursday night; Yadiel Rivera records 3-for-3 night with two runs from No. 8 spot By Robby Veronesi / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Aaron Wilkerson tossed seven no-hit innings to help the Sky Sox tie the best-of-five series with a 5-0 shutout in game two in front of 5,565 at AutoZone Park Thursday night. Making his first start with the Sky Sox in 2017, Wilkerson kept the Redbirds off the scoreboard over seven no-hit innings. The righty struck out 11 Memphis batters, tying his June 9 outing for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at MGM Park on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. That mark also ties the individual and team record for strikeouts in a Sky Sox playoff game and helped secure the first postseason shutout in Sky Sox franchise history. The Sky Sox broke the deadlock with three runs in the fifth inning. On a full count, Johnny Davis lined a two-out RBI single through the second base hole to score Yadiel Rivera. One batter later, Ivan De Jesus' sharp grounder to third baseman Patrick Wisdom was bobbled, allowing Kyle Wren to score. Davis came in to score the third run during the ensuing at-bat, when Chris Colabello lined an RBI single up the middle to increase the lead to 3-0. Rivera added to the Sox lead with a run in the sixth inning, launching a two-out double to the wall in left field, scoring Tyler Heineman and giving the Sox a 4-0 advantage. The Sox shortstop lined his second double to left field to lead off the ninth inning, completing his 3-for-3 night from the No. 8 spot in the lineup. Three batters later, RHP Arturo Reyes unleashed a wild pitch to allow Rivera to score his second run of the night and give the visitors a 5-0 lead. The Sox look to take a series lead when they return home Friday night for the first Sky Sox postseason game in the state of Colorado in 20 years. RHP Angel Ventura takes the mound in game three at 6:00 PM MT (7:00 Central)against Redbirds' RHP Ryan Helsley. The night also features a baseball-themed Friday Night Fireworks show, presented by United Restoration. *** Wilkerson spins hitless ball for Sky Sox Brewers righty fans 11 in seven frames in Game 2 of PCL semis; notched 143 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings in the Southern League this season By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com Quotes at the link; photo in the home whites from 2016... *** Gee, it's time to revisit our 2017 Rule 5 Protection & The 40-Man Roster Thread, says Mr. Wilkerson. *** Colorado Springs Box Score Have a night, Yadiel! Clean defense, too -- a "Rick Sweet" win... Colorado Springs Game Log

Mr. Wilkerson says I better amend my pick. I agree with Mr. Wilkerson. Thank you, Aaron Hill and Dave Dombrowski.

Via @BrewersPD: Jacob Nottingham will replace Rene Garcia on the Sky Sox playoff roster, starting w/tonight's game. Garcia left yesterday's game w/injury.

AUDIO via Wednesday's Game One Pre-Game: Manager Rick Sweet

Look for this just prior to game time -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Linked on the Sky Sox official blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Carolina League Southern Division A - Midwest League Western Division Pioneer League North Division Arizona League Central Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro Division Dominican Summer League North Division NOTE: Divisional standings for the two DSL teams point to the same shared page link. NOTE #2: The Standings Links above will reflect second-half standings for Biloxi, Carolina, and Wisconsin. You can easily then click on "Overall Standings" once you've reached the initial link. *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers DSL Brewers/Indians *** Weather.com: Memphis, TN Billings, MT

Follow Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Helena